Small Business Profile: Ruby Jewel

It takes long hours and a passion-filled drive to build a business from the ground up and watch it scale to national attention.

Lisa Herlinger, owner of Ruby Jewel and culinary school graduate, not only put in the hard work to see her vision come to light but she also included several other Portland businesses in that vision.

You may have seen Ruby Jewel's products in the freezer isle of your local Whole Foods, Zupans and New Seasons or maybe you are one of the lucky ones who have stopped in to their storefront locations on Mississippi Ave or in the heart of downtown Portland on 12th Ave & Washington Street. Ruby Jewel takes an artisianal approach to a favorite childhood treat: the ice cream cookie sandwich.

Photo credit: Chris Franklin

Lisa Herlinger and her sister Becky Burnett got their start when they sold their first hand crafted delicious treat at the Portland farmers' market. Eleven years and quite a few ice cream sandwich sales later they have found themselves running two brick and mortar operations, distributing from Hawaii to Texas, and receiving accolades from publications like Oprah Winfrey’s magazine “O”, In Style and the Washington Post. Through all of the success, they have remained grounded and humble -- continuing to provide their signature ice cream sandwiches at the place that started it all, the Portland farmers' market at Portland State University.

In an effort to create a community-building sustainable product, Ruby Jewel participates in the collaborative business model that has created a way for so many of our businesses to succeed. Bee Local, Bobs RedMill, Nossa Familia Coffee, and Freddy Guys Hazelnuts have shared their products and input to help Lisa Herlinger see her vision. Collaborating together, they are able to produce a finely curated product that lights up your senses with great flavors from fresh, local and organic sources.

Oregon strawberry, singing dog vanilla bean, caramel with salted chocolate. These are just a few of their “standard” flavored ice creams. Where Ruby Jewel does its best work is creating craft seasonal favorite ice creams with some of Portland’s best farms, gardens and food producers. Brown Sugar Sour Cream with Peach Jam, Double Chocolate with Marionberry Caramel Sauce and a dairy free Cherry Almond Ice round out just some of the new flavors you will find through August at their various locations.

Ruby Jewel is proud to announce their new location on Hawthorne Blvd, an area that is known for small businesses.

Wanderer by nature, explorer by trade. Chris Franklin is attracted to the unique and overlooked. His ambition is to showcase what may lay off the beaten path. A love of small business and creative craft guide his path as he continues to discover Portland, Oregon. Follow his journey at LostNPortland.com.